Playing partner Phil Mickelson was also happy, though in relief to make the cut by two shots at one under after a 70.

“I'm really glad I made the cut and I now have a chance over these next two days, because I kind of keyed in on something with my swing starting to feel much better,” Mickelson said. “I really need these two days to get my game in shape.”

In a two-way tie for the lead were Scotland's Craig Lee (67) and Spain's Rafa Cabrera-Bello (68) at nine under, a stroke ahead of England's Danny Willett (63).

Rocco Mediate took the first-round lead in the Champions Tour's season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii, with a nine-under 63, a stroke ahead of 2012 winner Dan Forsman.